Who Has Won the Biggest Horse Races in the Western Hemisphere in 2024
2024 has been a blockbuster year in the world of horse racing, particularly in the Western Hemisphere. Four huge races have already taken place in recent months, while there is plenty more on the horizon. In the UK, the likes of the St. Ledger Stakes and the 5000 Guineas are just around the corner, while stateside the Triple Crown continues the Belmont Stakes. And there is much more to look forward to down the line.
The l'Arc de Triomphe is probably Europe's prestigious race, and that takes place in October. The planet's finest horses will be battling it out for a share of the €5m prize pot, and if you know how to bet on horse racing, a +1200 favorite suggests that a race is anyone's to win. That's exactly the position that the three-year-old Economics finds himself in at present and he will be aiming to live up to the billing as the favorite and make the bookies regret not slashing his odds.
Four huge races have already taken place this year, but who won them? Let's find out.
Kentucky Derby
The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports certainly lived up to the billing in Louisville last month. As always seems to be the case, the stars were out in force. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen was in attendance as was WWE power couple Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch. But once the action got underway, Mystik Dan stole the show.
Trained by the legendary Bob Baffert, the three-year-old colt demonstrated wise beyond his years. From the moment the gates opened, the American thoroughbred showed what he was made of, taking an early lead and maintaining it throughout the race. Jockey John Velazquez expertly maneuvered him around the one-and-a-quarter mile track to walk away with the $5m prize money up $3m from 2019.
Mystik Dan was looking to become the first horse in decades to complete the Triple Crown but was pipped to the post in the Preakness by Seize the Grey, and the wait for a horse to win all three races will extend into a sixth year.
Grand National
Across the pond, the Grand National at Aintree is renowned for its challenging course that has seen it become the toughest test of endurance in horse racing. This year, all the talk was about 2023 champion Croach Rambler in his quest to go back-to-back. fi he had completed the feat, he would have followed in the footsteps of the likes of Red Rum and Tiger Roll, but ultimately, it wasn't to be.
The Nicky Henderson trained I Am Maximus was the reigning champion's biggest test, going off at a 7-1 joint favorite. And he duly lived up to the billing. With Nico de Boinville on board, he faced one of the most competitive fields in recent memory. However, the horse's resilience and the jockey's tactical nouse were on full display as they navigated treacherous fences such as the infamous Becher’s Brook and The Chair.
Ultimately, Raambler was no match for Maximus this time around. He unseated his rider Derek Fox allowing Maximus to storm to victory, and now it will be him in the limelight next year and fans will be wondering if he can go back-to-back as well.
Champion Hurdle
Heading into the 2024 Champion Hurdle, much of the talk was centered around reigning champion Constitution Hill. He had been a huge favorite to reign supreme once again and a heavily backed favorite all year long in the ante-post betting. However, just a week before the race, he had to be withdrawn due to a kidney infection that resulted in an adverse blood test.
That cleared the way for second favorite State Man to become the newly minted frontrunner. And he wouldn't pass up on the golden opportunity handed to him. Under the expert guidance of trainer Willie Mullins and ridden by jockey Paul Townend, State Man dominated the race. Now, punters will be wondering whether the victory should have an asterisk next to it considering Constitution Hill's withdrawal. Next year, we will find out for certain if the par goes head to head.
Cheltenham Gold Cup
Where Corach Rambler and Constituon Hll failed, Galopin Des Champs most certainly did not. He won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2023 and he loved up to the billing this year as well, succeeding in winning the race in consecutive years just as the bookies had predicted.
Trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend, the horse showcased its class. Throughout the race, the tension was palpable. Bu Galopin Des Champs - as all good champions do - remained unfazed by the pressure, maintaining a steady rhythm and making calculated moves to stay ahead of the pack. As they approached the final stretch, it became clear that he had more left in the tank than any of his rivals, and he crossed the finish line to a chorus of cheers, securing his place in the history books in the process.